n > [were]

101.11

At last resoluing forward still to fare,
2 Till that some end they finde or in or out,
That path they take, that beaten seemd most bare,
4 And like to lead the labyrinth about;
Which when by tract they hunted had throughout,
6 At length it brought them to a hollow caue,
Amid the thickest woods. The Champion stout
8 Eftsoones dismounted from his courser braue,
And to the Dwarfe a while his needlesse spere he gaue.

1 At last, resolving forward still to fare,

still > continuously, without change; _hence:_ in one direction

2 Till some end they find, +or+ in or out,

or > either

3 That path they take that beaten seemed most bare,
4 And likely to lead the labyrinth about;

the labyrinth about > [out of the labyrinth]

5 Which when by tract they hunted had throughout,

tract > track, trail; tracing

6 At length it brought them to a hollow cave

hollow > insincere, false; _also:_ hungry (these readings might be
indicated by the tautology; cf. 109.33:2, 308.37:5, but also
303.8:3)

7 Amid the thickest woods. The champion stout

stout > bold, brave

8 Eftsoons dismounted from his courser brave,

Eftsoons > Thereupon
brave > splendid, fine; courageous

9 And to the dwarf awhile his needless spear he gave.

needless > (Because it is wielded only by a mounted knight, the
sword being used when he is on foot)

101.12

Be well aware, quoth then that Ladie milde,
2 Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash prouoke:
The danger hid, the place vnknowne and wilde,
4 Breedes dreadfull doubts: Oft fire is without smoke,
And perill without show: therefore +your stroke+
6 Sir knight with-hold, till further triall made.
Ah Ladie (said he) shame were to reuoke
8 The forward footing for an hidden shade:
Vertue giues her selfe light, through darkenesse for to wade.

5 your stroke > your hardy stroke _1590 etc.: FE_

1 "Be well aware," quoth then that lady mild,

aware > watchful, on your guard
mild > kind, gracious

2 "Lest sudden mischief you too rash provoke:

mischief > disaster
you too rash provoke > [you, too rash, provoke; or: you too rashly
provoke]

3 The danger hidden, the place unknown and wild,
4 Breeds dreadful doubts. Oft fire is without smoke,
5 And peril without show: therefore your stroke,
6 Sir knight, withhold, till further trial made."

made > [be